A Pair Of Heroes

Man Rescued From Fiery Accident

HAMPTON — City Police Officer Bill Banks was heading south on Aberdeen Road, near Aberdeen Elementary School, about 1 a.m. Monday when he saw a 1981 Pontiac speed past going the other way.

Quickly making a U-turn, Banks, a veteran of 17 years on the force, was about to give chase to the car when it slammed into a utility pole, said Capt. Ike Jones.

By the time Banks had pulled up by the Pontiac, Jones said, "the live wire had come down on the car and the car had been lit on fire."

Banks had called for help from a fire company, said Jones, but he could see the fire was quickly spreading.

Acting with the help of a passer-by, Larry Williams of Hampton, Banks approached the burning car and managed to pry the door open. He pulled the accident victim to safety before the car was engulfed by flames.

"From all that we know, it appears that Banks and the civilian should be credited with saving the man's life," said Jones.

Banks, 47, who works the midnight shift, cut his right hand in the rescue effort. Jones said he severed the tendons in three of his fingers. The cuts were treated at Sentara Hampton General Hospital, Jones said.

The accident victim was taken from the scene in a city ambulance with a neck brace on.

He was not immediately identified, and police did not disclose if he had been charged with any violations.

Jones said the accident may have occurred because of a slight curve in Aberdeen Road in front of the elementary school.

The Police Department had little information about Williams, the civilian who assisted in the rescue, other than that he was not injured. Banks also could not be reached for comment.